Today's Legal Pulse
Biden sues DOJ to block release of interview audio
President Biden filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from publishing an audio interview, arguing the release would be improper. The action has sparked political commentary, including remarks from former President Trump.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
Bombshell: DOJ Indicts Conservative-Targeting SPLC for Secretly Funding KKK & Other Extremist Groups
The article reports that the U.S. Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on 11 counts, including wire fraud, bank fraud and money‑laundering, alleging the nonprofit secretly funneled more than $3 million to the Ku Klux Klan and other extremist groups. The indictment was issued by a grand jury in Alabama and assigned to Trump‑appointed Judge Emily Marks. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel held a press conference to detail the alleged scheme, claiming the SPLC used shell companies to conceal the payments. The piece presents these allegations without citing an official DOJ release.
Calls for Tech Regulators to Keep Pace with Rapid Tech Changes
Industry leaders gathered in Sandton to debate South Africa’s evolving ICT regulatory landscape, highlighting the complexity of competition law, merger approvals and the draft National AI Policy. The panel examined recent high‑profile deals such as Vodacom’s 30% stake in Maziv...
Competition and Scaling: Tech.eu Summit London 2026
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) used its Tech.eu Summit slot to shift from pure enforcement toward becoming an enabler of competition for startups and scale‑ups. It outlined a three‑year strategy that ties competition policy to the UK’s industrial...
Milka-Tafel: Schlechte Karten Für Mondelez Im Shrinkflation-Streit
Mondelez International faced legal scrutiny in Germany after it reduced the weight of its Milka chocolate bar from 100 g to 90 g in January 2025 while raising the retail price. A Bremen district court judge ruled the unchanged packaging could mislead consumers,...
Litigation Against the SEC Has Spiked in Recent Years. Why?
Amanda Rose’s forthcoming Texas Law Review article documents a sharp rise in lawsuits against the SEC, especially in the 2020s. She applies a rational‑actor model, showing that market participants weigh the expected benefits of victory against litigation costs, including reputational...
Southern Poverty Law Center Hit With 11-Count Indictment
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an 11‑count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, accusing it of wire fraud, false statements to banks and money‑laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege SPLC diverted at least $3 million of donor money intended to dismantle...
Earth Day 2026: IBA Legal Guide Series Highlights Commercial Impact of Nature-Related Risks
The International Bar Association has introduced the Nature‑Intelligent Legal Services series, a three‑part guide aimed at helping lawyers assess and embed nature‑related risks and opportunities into client advice. The toolkit, developed with the IBA’s Environment, Health and Safety Law Committee...
Podcast | Let’s Talk Asset Management: Episode 22 – Unpacking the FCA’s Wholesale Buy Side Regulatory Priorities 2026
The Financial Conduct Authority released its Wholesale Buy Side Regulatory Priorities report in March 2026, and the latest Let’s Talk Asset Management podcast dissects its implications for buy‑side firms. Hosts Hannah Meakin, Lucy Dodson, Saaraa Alimahomed and Simon Lovegrove explore...
CT Insurance Dept. Cracks Down on Rogue Insurance Companies
Connecticut's Insurance Department announced that the state’s five largest health insurers—Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Connecticare and UnitedHealthcare—were fined for violating the state’s mental‑health parity law. The penalties are capped at $625,000 per carrier, but the department has not disclosed the exact...
Mali Faces African Court Case over Wagner Killings
Human rights groups have lodged a case before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights accusing Mali of deploying Russian Wagner mercenaries who killed more than 500 civilians in 2022. The filing, made by the Pan African Lawyers Union,...
City Power Hits Back on Solar Registration Process
City Power has rejected OUTA’s criticism that its small‑scale energy generation (SSEG) registration process adds unnecessary red tape, asserting the steps and fees remain unchanged. The utility outlines an eight‑stage procedure, emphasizing that only existing compliance requirements—such as a valid...
Japan Prefecture to Reward Tips on Illegal Foreign Workers From May
Ibaraki Prefecture, which recorded the highest concentration of illegal foreign workers among Japan’s 47 prefectures in 2024, will launch a tip‑reward program on May 11. The scheme pays ¥10,000 (about $63) to individuals whose information leads to a police investigation of...
Who’s Really to Blame When a White Hat Goes Gray?
A security researcher, frustrated by a slow and dismissive vulnerability disclosure process, released exploit code publicly, endangering customers. The company’s compliance team labeled the researcher a villain, while the author questions whether firms have an ethical duty to maintain respectful,...
Accusations of a Toxic Workplace at MrBeast’s Production Company
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against Beast Industries, the production arm of YouTube star MrBeast, alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress and a hostile work environment. The complaint cites an employee handbook that encourages childish behavior and a...
RECLAIM Part III: Equity and Clarity Are the Foundation of a High-Performing Law Firm
The third installment of the RECLAIM model spotlights equity and clarity as twin pillars of high‑performing law firms. It argues that clear expectations, transparent processes, and consistent feedback reduce guesswork and boost productivity, while fair hiring, work allocation, and compensation...
How to Recognize Workplace Bullying in the Legal Profession and What Your Law Firm Can Do to Stop It
Attorney Andy Regal warns that ending workplace bullying in law requires accountability, not perfection. A recent International Bar Association survey shows 57% of bullying incidents go unreported, and over 60% of victims leave firms lacking support. Legislative efforts such as...
Coinbase Shifts New York Prediction Markets Fight to Federal Court
Coinbase’s chief legal officer announced that the company has removed the New York Attorney General’s prediction‑markets lawsuit from state court and filed it in federal court, arguing the dispute centers on federal law. The suit, filed by AG Letitia James,...
Employers Face ‘Patchwork’ of Heat Regulations for Workers
Virginia has become the latest state to mandate heat‑illness prevention rules, directing its Safety and Health Codes Board to finalize regulations by May 1, 2028. The new law requires water, rest breaks, training and emergency protocols for indoor and outdoor...
NYC Proposes $500 Million Tax on $5 Million‑plus Second Homes Owned by Non‑residents
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to levy a 1% tax on luxury second homes worth over $5 million owned by non‑residents, projected to raise $500 million a year. The proposal targets roughly 13,000 units in a market...
Qualcomm Warns U.S. Must Allocate 600 MHz of 6G Spectrum by 2029
Qualcomm’s senior vice‑president of spectrum policy, John Kuzin, told RCR Wireless that the United States must secure at least 600 MHz of mid‑band spectrum by 2029 to meet the industry’s 6G launch timeline. He warned that postponing allocation could undermine U.S. leadership...
Trucking Owner Sues Washington Over New 9.9% 'Millionaires Tax' Threatening Small Firms
Curt Nuccitelli, owner of Spirit Transport Systems, has filed a lawsuit against Washington state over its newly enacted 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million. The suit claims the tax violates a constitutional cap of 1% and could cripple small...
Judge Delays Purdue Pharma Sentencing, Clearing $7 B Settlement Path
U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo postponed Purdue Pharma's criminal sentencing to allow opioid victims to attend in person. The delay clears the path for a $225 million forfeiture and a $7 billion settlement from the Sackler family, which will fund government...
ICC Judges Reject Bid to Release Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte
International Criminal Court judges dismissed former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's appeal for release, allowing the proceedings on his alleged crimes against humanity to continue. The 81‑year‑old faces three counts tied to thousands of deaths during his 2016‑2019 war on drugs,...
What to Know About the U.K.’s Generational Smoking Ban
The UK Parliament has approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will ban the sale of cigarettes, herbal smoking products and cigarette paper to anyone born in 2009 or later, creating a “smoke‑free” generation. The legislation also expands vape‑free zones...
Sullivan & Cromwell Apologizes After AI‑generated Filing Contains Fabricated Citations
Sullivan & Cromwell issued a formal apology to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn after an April 9 filing contained about three dozen AI‑generated citation errors, known as “hallucinations.” The firm said its internal AI policies were not followed, prompting a...
The UK Passes A Lifetime Smoking Ban. Could America Be Next?
The UK Parliament approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will permanently bar anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009 from purchasing tobacco, with the law taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The measure raises the legal smoking age by one year each...
ISDA Responds to ESMA on PTRR Clearing Exemption
On April 20, ISDA responded to ESMA’s consultation on a draft regulatory technical standard for the post‑trade risk reduction (PTRR) exemption under EMIR. The association urged a principles‑based definition of eligible PTRR services to preserve innovation, argued that existing EMIR...
Making IPOs Great Again (and More): Chair Atkins’ “A-C-T” Strategy
SEC Chair Paul Atkins outlined his "A-C-T" strategy—Advance, Clarify, Transform—to modernize securities regulation and revive the U.S. IPO market. He emphasized a materiality‑first approach to disclosure, arguing that fewer public companies limit opportunities for workers and savers. Atkins proposed concrete...
NAIC Overhauls Insurer Investment Rules, Redefines Bonds and CLO Capital
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has restructured its investment oversight bodies and launched a principles‑based bond definition that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The changes also move the CLO capital model closer to implementation, forcing insurers to reclassify holdings and...
Federal Grand Jury Indicts SPLC on $3 Million Fraud Scheme Involving Hate‑Group Informants
The Southern Poverty Law Center was hit with an 11‑count federal indictment alleging it funneled more than $3 million to paid informants inside white‑supremacist groups. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel said the scheme deceived donors and...
New Employee Benefits Developments for New York Employers
New York’s Secure Choice Savings Program, launched Oct. 8, 2025, obliges private‑sector employers with 10 or more NY employees to either register for a Roth‑IRA‑based retirement offering or certify exemption by mid‑2026, with staggered deadlines based on workforce size. The federal...
SEC Staff Further Extends 16(a) Reporting Deadline for Foreign Insiders Affected by Conflict in Iran
The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance issued a second no‑action letter to Tower Semiconductor Ltd., extending the Section 16(a) filing deadline to May 29 for foreign private issuers located in regions affected by the Iran‑related conflict. The extension acknowledges that TSEM’s headquarters,...
Review of Vandemoortele / Délifrance Deal Moves to In-Depth Investigation
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has escalated the Vandemoortele‑Délifrance merger to a phase 2 investigation after the deadline to propose a buyer for two French production sites passed without a submission. In phase 1, the CMA warned the deal could...
Join Our Livestream: Musk V. Altman and the Future of OpenAI
Elon Musk and Sam Altman will face off in a high‑profile trial starting April 27 that questions whether OpenAI has strayed from its original mission to develop artificial general intelligence for humanity’s benefit. A judge, guided by a jury, will decide...
“Lincoln May Have Freed the Slaves, But I’m Keeping You” — and the Case Still Got Dismissed
A Black legal assistant sued a law firm partner and the firm for a hostile work environment after the partner told her, “Lincoln may have freed the slaves, but I’m keeping you.” The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal,...
Bank of America, Appraiser Sued for Discrimination
Homeowner Darchelle Braxton has filed a federal lawsuit against Bank of America and Velox Valuations, alleging racial discrimination in the appraisal of her Richmond property. The bank’s $135,000 appraisal, which the complaint says was biased, led to a denied $100,000...
Spain: UTECA Sues RTVE over World Cup Ads
Spain's private broadcasters association UTECA has filed an urgent lawsuit against state‑owned RTVE, demanding a court order to stop the public broadcaster from selling World Cup advertising slots to brands that are not official FIFA sponsors. UTECA argues the practice...
Clean Clothes Campaign Files Legal Action Against Levi Strauss & Co
Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) has filed a lawsuit in a Dutch court accusing Levi Strauss & Co of misleading consumers with its "ethical brand" claims. The suit is backed by four shoppers who bought Levi products based on those statements....
'Actions Don't Match the Narrative': EV Industry Slams HMRC Appeal Against Public Charging VAT Ruling
The UK tax tribunal ruled that VAT should be removed from public electric‑vehicle chargers, a decision HMRC is now appealing. Industry groups argue the appeal undermines the government’s net‑zero narrative and hurts drivers who cannot charge at home. Ministers have...
Osborne Clarke Announces Leaner UK Partner Promotions Round
Osborne Clarke has promoted six lawyers to partner in its latest UK round, maintaining a 50% gender balance. The promotion count fell from ten the previous year, reflecting a more selective approach. The new partners span disputes, corporate, banking, finance,...
Steam, Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite Risk "Becoming Onramps to Abuse, Extremist Violence, Radicalisation or Lifelong Harm", Claim Australian Government
The Australian eSafety commissioner has served transparency notices to Valve, Epic Games, Microsoft and Roblox, demanding details on how they curb grooming, extremist propaganda and violent content on Steam, Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox. The regulator warns the platforms could become...
U.S. Department of Justice Launches Criminal Probe Into Beef Industry Practices
The DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into the beef industry's pricing practices, focusing on concerns that packers may be manipulating cash‑less, formula‑driven pricing systems like gridding. Host Sean Haney explains that ranchers worry about reduced price discovery and packer...
Wall Street Law Firm Apologises For AI Errors
Sullivan & Cromwell, a 140‑year‑old New York law firm, apologized to a federal judge after AI‑generated citations in a filing were found to be fabricated. Partner Andrew Dietderich acknowledged the errors, which included nonexistent case names and misquoted authorities. The mistakes...
Parents or States: Who Should Decide How Much Social Media Time Is Too Much?
In February, a federal judge blocked Virginia's law that limits minors to one hour of social‑media use per day unless a parent provides verifiable consent. The decision held that parents, not the state, should set initial usage limits, citing First...
Planning AHPRA Registration? English Requirements Change From 23 April 2026
AHPRA will tighten English language standards for registration starting 23 April 2026. While overall IELTS/PEL scores and the Listening and Reading components are being lowered, the Speaking component is being raised across all accepted tests. Applicants must now demonstrate stronger oral communication...
KIIS Turns Tables on Kyle and Jackie O, Sues Pair for Millions
Australian radio network ARN (owner of KIIS) has sued Kyle Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson, alleging they breached a $200 million (≈$132 million USD) ten‑year deal that cost the station millions in advertising revenue. ARN seeks to claw back 87.92% of a...
Draft Law Puts Crypto Under SA Exchange Control Regime
South Africa’s National Treasury has released Draft Capital Flow Management Regulations 2026, classifying crypto assets as capital and bringing them under the country’s exchange‑control regime. The draft bars individuals and firms without a licence from transacting above an as‑yet‑undetermined threshold...
China Delivery Giants Fined £390m After Violent Clashes
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation imposed record fines totaling 3.6 billion yuan (about $500 million) on seven e‑commerce and food‑delivery platforms, including PDD Holdings, Meituan, JD.com, Alibaba and ByteDance. The penalties followed a probe marked by violent clashes, with employees injuring...
Consultation: Reforming the Senior Managers & Certification Regime
The UK government has released a consultation outcome outlining reforms to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR). The proposals drop rigid statutory certification rules, allow the FCA and PRA to adopt a proportionate, risk‑based approach, and streamline senior‑manager approval...
Higher Education Groups Challenge Trump’s Latest Anti-DEI Order
Higher education groups, including NADOHE and AAUP, filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging President Trump’s March executive order that would strip federal contracts from colleges engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities. The order requires contractors to certify they...